Eagles soar on final day of Grant Khomo Week
The South Western District Eagles recovered well from their 21-29 defeat at the hands of Western Province on the second day, to cap off a successful 2025 Grant Khomo Week with a hard-fought 15-5 victory over the Golden Lions in Pretoria.
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The highlight of the intensely physical 60 minutes came shortly before the final whistle. Stepping up with the kicking tee, the Eagles’ loosehead prop, Keaton Olivier, showed why front-rowers regularly practice their goal-kicking before training sessions.
Delivering the final blow, Olivier slotted his only penalty for the week, nearly from halfway, to secure a 10-point buffer for the Eagles to reign victorious. Apart from this unusual feat, Oliver was a standout performer on the attack for the side from the Southern Cape throughout the three days of action.
The Eagles’ backline, marshalled superbly for one last time by flyhalf Tanwill Onkers, gave the Lions countless headaches through their entertaining brand of running rugby, which supporters at this year’s tournament had become accustomed to.
Eastern Province, too, recovered well after their first-day loss against the Eagles (10-27), to achieve two from two in their following two encounters. The side from the Eastern Cape handled a dangerous Griffons side relatively comfortably, cruising to a 35-16 win. Grey High School’s Keanu Linch dived across twice for the first brace on the final day.
Flyhalf Nathan Trystman, who was flown in for the injured Alexander Stewart, had a fruitful day with the boot, slotting three conversions and three penalties for a valuable contribution of 15 points.
On the Baloyi A-Field, the Pumas thumped the Valke 29-0 to record their first victory of the week. Loose forwards, Marule Siphesihle (Uplands College) and Hoërskool Middelburg No. 8, Menzi Siyaya, again produced standout performances, allowing their fluent backs acres of space with which to wreak havoc.
Zimbabwe reigned victorious in their international against Namibia, scoring five tries to Namibia’s one in a runaway victory of 34-5. Ethan Zhou stole the limelight, crossing the whitewash twice.
The Iqhawe XV recorded a historical victory, smashing Border Country Districts by 43-11 in the opener of the final day on the Baloyi B-Field, achieving their first ever victory at a National Week.
Scorers:
Moshate Field:
South Western Districts 15 (7) – Tries: A-Jay Julies, Rufagon Hendricks. Conversion: Tanwill Onkers. Penalty: Keaton Olivier. Golden Lions 5 (5) – Try: Ray-Nathin van Kolver.
Eastern Province 35 (17) – Tries: Keanu Linch (2), Jarno Nel, Sibulele Ngebulana. Conversions: Nathan Trytsman (3). Penalties: Trystman (3). Griffons 16 (7) – Try: Jayden-Daniel Bienas. Conversions: Theuns van Rensburg. Penalty: Van Rensburg (3).
Baloyi A-Field:
Pumas 29 (15) – Tries: Ryan Blake, Marcel Lindeque, Menzi Siyaya, Thubelihle Marule. Conversions: Kgontse Masisela (2), Cornelius Erasmus. Penalty: Masisela. Valke 0.
Zimbabwe 34 (3) – Tries: Ethan Zhou (2), Liam Britten, Alexander Mubata, Miguel Mavera. Conversions: Maver (3), Gray van der Merwe. Namibia 5 (5) – Try: Mias Nieuwoudt.
Baloyi B-Field:
Boland 36 (24) – Tries: Ewan Alberts, Wernard de Villiers, Tristin Syster, Chris-Will du Toit, Ruan Nortjé, Chrisjan de Bod. Conversions: Ruan Nortjé (3). Border 12 (0) – Tries: Josh Wilkie, Rosh Els. Conversion: Wilkie.
Iqhawe XV 43 (24) – Tries: Kungalo Mpambani (2), Wailin Papier, Abdul Isaacs, Tshegofatso Nkgame, Zacharius Zide, Kabelo Motlharo. Conversions: Luthando Marangxa (3), Emerick Oliver. Border Country Districts 11 (6) – Try: Kungawo Gabula. Penalties: Luke Groepe (3).
